Grabbing a quick bite to eat for most means a sandwich, burger or salad at a local fast food restaurant. In Budapest however, it is (believe it or not) butcher shops that traditionally provide this kind of service.

Grabbing a bite at the butcher's (Photo courtesy of: http://www.diningguide.hu/toplistak/etterem-informacio-4049)

Alongside the pork chops, steaks and chicken breasts one would expect to find in butcher shops are grill sausages filled with paprika, liver or black pudding served on paper plates with mustard and freshly baked bread. But not buns or baguettes, but real traditional white loaf bread. Grill chicken and tepertő – the equivalent of pork scratchings – are also on the menu. With none of these mouthwatering delicacies being light, pickles and other pickled vegetables such as hot peppers are a popular side. The luxury of chairs will have to be done without, with bar height tables around which these meaty treats are consumed standing.